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City of Santa Ana
<br />California Environmental Quality Act
<br />Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
<br />However, given the urbanized location of the Project site, suitable habitat for these species is
<br />unlikely, besides species within zoo exhibits. Of the species listed, Southwestern Pond Turtles are
<br />within the zoo and Monarch Butterflies are within the zoo seasonally in the spring and summer, but
<br />construction will not impact their habitat. While small areas such as the zoo's surrounding trees or
<br />garden spaces may provide limited habitat, they are not significant enough to support candidate,
<br />sensitive, or special -status species, and thus will not result in adverse effects. The Project will
<br />implement mitigation measures, including pre -construction species surveys and protective actions if
<br />special -status species are found during construction. Additionally, native vegetation will be
<br />incorporated to enhance local habitat. With Mitigation Measures BIO-1 through 113I0-3, the impact
<br />on sensitive, special -status, or listed species is expected to be less than significant.
<br />b) The proposed Project will be constructed within open space zoning districts, as identified by the City's
<br />General Plan. According to the National Wetlands Inventory, as mapped by the USFWS, the Project
<br />is not located within riparian areas, and therefore, there will be no impact on riparian habitats or
<br />other sensitive natural communities. Additionally, the surrounding areas have been fully urbanized
<br />and developed, so no significant impacts are anticipated.
<br />c) Wetlands, as defined by the federal Clean Water Act, refer to areas that are flooded or saturated by
<br />surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support vegetation adapted to
<br />life in saturated soils. These areas include swamps, marshes, streams, lakes, and bogs. There are
<br />no wetlands, vernal pools, or similar features on the proposed Project site. Best Management
<br />Practices (BMPs) will be implemented throughout the construction phase to prevent erosion and
<br />control dust. During dry weather, flows are expected to be minimal and will be captured by the
<br />stormwater management system. During wet weather, the flows intercepted by the Project will not
<br />result in significant hydrological impacts. According to the National Wetlands Inventory, the Project
<br />site is not located within wetland areas, so no impact on wetlands is anticipated.
<br />d) The proposed Project is situated in a densely urbanized area, specifically on an established zoo and
<br />public facilities site. It is anticipated that the Project will have minimal impact on local wildlife
<br />movement or nurseries. While the site includes several trees, the urban environment suggests they
<br />are unlikely to provide suitable habitat or nesting sites for migratory birds, as defined by the federal
<br />Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Code, Section
<br />3513 et seq. However, while the likelihood of nesting is low, it is still possible for birds to nest in the
<br />area. Project activities could result in the mortality or injury of nestlings, as well as the temporary or
<br />long-term loss of suitable foraging habitat.
<br />e) Given the heavily urbanized nature of the area and the presence of ornamental trees, there is
<br />potential for existing trees to provide habitat for nesting birds. Construction activities may
<br />temporarily disturb potential nesting habitats; however, with the implementation of Mitigation
<br />Measures BIO-1 through BIO-3, the Project's impacts on nesting birds will be reduced to less than
<br />significant.
<br />In addition, the Project will result in the removal of approximately three mature jacaranda trees. To
<br />offset this, the Project proposes the planting of approximately 42 new trees, including eight
<br />jacaranda trees, consistent with the site's landscaping plan. As a result, the Project will not conflict
<br />with local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, and impacts related to tree removal.
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